A new endowment for scholarships and research has been established at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) by the Arlington Conservation Council (ACC).
The endowment is meant to promote environmental education at the university, according to a UT Arlington press release.
ACC began the endowment with an initial $33,956 donation.
Funding will be used for student scholarships, research-related resources, and grants. UTA’s Office of the Vice President for Research will distribute this funding.
The endowment will support both researchers and students at UT Arlington, according to Dick Schoech, president of the ACC board of directors.
“It is a pleasure to partner with UTA to promote environmental integrity and climate resilience,” Schoech said in the press release.
The individual awards granted will range from $500 to $1000.
UT Arlington President Jennifer Cowley stated that the endowment would be used to help students examine potential environmental and climate issues in the region.
“[ACC’s] generous initiative is a testament to the strength of UTA’s partnerships in our community. This endowment will empower young researchers to think big as they approach issues of climate change and environmental sustainability,” Cowley said.
In related news, UTA also made recent updates to its “FabLab,” located in the main library, according to a different press release.
The FabLab covers 8,000 square feet and provides access to laser cutters, screen printers, sewing machines, 3D printers, and more.
FabLab director Katie Musick Peery shared that the tools are available for all UTA students and faculty.
“Our goal is to democratize the access to some of these tools so students can explore. Our primary focus is to be a teaching space in a teaching lab so you don’t have to have any prior experience with any of the tools when you’re coming in,” Peery stated.
Additions to the space include photography studios with green screens, whisper booths, musical instruments, a robotics studio, and a motion capture studio.
